selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

1

: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others

2

: arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others

a selfish act

3

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes

Synonyms

• egocentric
• egoistic
• egoistical
• egomaniacal
• egotistic
• egotistical
• narcissistic
• self-absorbed
• self-centered
• self-concerned
• self-infatuated
• self-interested
• self-involved
• self-loving
• self-obsessed
• self-oriented
• self-preoccupied
• self-regarding
• self-seeking
• self-serving
• solipsistic

Examples of selfish in a Sentence

She's interested only in her own selfish concerns.

I wish he'd spend less time with his friends and more time with me. Am I being selfish?

Recent Examples on the Web

The third goal of the era’s fixation on prehistory was the most selfish. —Stefanos Geroulanos, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2024

Perspective Carolyn Hax: Fiance calls it ‘selfish’ not to welcome his family as wedding... Perspective Carolyn Hax: How dare my sister appreciate her wonderful husband?? —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Once again, a trial unites some of the series' most memorable minor characters in an indictment of the protagonist's selfish, petty behavior. —Judy Berman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024

Generational stereotypes lead us to believe that all Boomers (born in 1946-1964) are selfish and stuck in their ways. —Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

From that point until his death last week, Levin has often been portrayed as shortsighted, selfish, gullible, or all of the above—a leader who refused to listen to the better advice of his colleagues and should be held singularly responsible for the damage the merger caused. —Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024

Rather, psychologists say, spiritual narcissists distort religion and spirituality to cater to their own selfish interests, as well as to punish and abuse others. —USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024

Despite the script’s prevalent lack of subtlety, telling us details and developments instead of showing through meaningful actions, there’s resonance in Michael’s nuanced turn from selfish to selfless via his newfound canine companionship. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024

That suits its otherworldly and somewhat formal tone, which takes viewers deep into Japan’s mythical past for a quartet of eerie tales about lonely ghosts and vengeful spirits who bring supernatural justice to selfish and immoral humans. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: taking care of oneself without thought for others

selfishly adverb

selfishness noun

Medical Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes